Penguin With Snail Shell Amigurumi For Handmade Gifts
Finished Size: Approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall and 7 inches (18 cm) wide
Skill Level: intermediate
Estimated Time: 2-4 hours
Hook Size: 3.5 mm
Yarn: worsted yarn
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker, polyfill
Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 4 inches with 3.5 mm hook
What Makes This Pattern Special
This penguin with snail shell is an amigurumi worked in black, white, orange, and pink. You will crochet the penguin body, penguin belly, penguin head, eye patches, beak, cheeks, eyes, feet, wings, snail shell, snail antennae, snail shell base, foot, antenna, and the tentacles. The pattern walks through each piece with clear round-by-round counts, then shows how to assemble and finish everything so the result matches the reference photos.
Use the pattern card as your material checklist before starting. The instructions include removable shell. The instructions include stuffed body. Safety eyes give a polished look. Keep your tension even, count stitches at the end of shaping rounds, and check the placement notes before sewing pieces together for a clean handmade result.
Before You Start: Pattern Notes
Gather These Supplies First
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Yarn | worsted yarn in black, white, orange, pink, green, beige |
| Hook | 3.5 mm crochet hook |
| Stuffing | Polyfill or fiberfill |
| Eyes | Safety eyes or embroidery thread |
| Extras | Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors |
Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 4 inches with 3.5 mm hook. Not critical but aim for tight, even stitches, if stuffing shows through, go down one hook size.
Stitches and Abbreviations Used
Note: This pattern uses US crochet terms. All rounds are worked in crochet unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase (2 sc in same stitch) |
| dec | Decrease (sc 2 together) |
| ch | Chain |
Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions
penguin body, black yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (11 sc, inc) x 2 (26)
Rnd 6: sc around (26)
Rnd 7: sc around (26)
Rnd 8: sc around (26)
Rnd 9: sc around (26)
Rnd 10: sc around (26)
Rnd 11: (11 sc, dec) x 2 (24)
Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 13: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 14: dec around (6)
Rnd 15: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to white yarn for the penguin belly.
penguin belly, white yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) x 2 (4 sc, inc) x 2 (22)
Rnd 5: sc around (22)
Rnd 6: sc around (22)
Rnd 7: (3 sc, dec) x 2 (4 sc, dec) x 2 (18)
Rnd 8: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 9: dec around (6)
Rnd 10: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to black yarn for the penguin head.
penguin head, black yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: sc around (30)
Rnd 7: sc around (30)
Rnd 8: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 9: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 10: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 11: dec around (6)
Rnd 12: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to white yarn for the eye patches.
eye patches (make 2), white yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing
Sew the eye patches around the safety eyes or embroidered eyes on the upper half of the head.
Switch to orange yarn for the beak.
beak, orange yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: (5 sc, inc) x 1 (7)
Rnd 3: sc around (7)
Rnd 4: (5 sc, dec) x 1 (6)
Rnd 5: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to pink yarn for the cheeks.
cheeks (make 2), pink yarn
Add the cheek detail with pale pink embroidery thread after the head is closed.
Work two or three tiny straight stitches on each side, just below and outside the eye line.
Switch to black yarn for the eyes.
eyes (make 2), black yarn
Use 6 mm safety eyes or embroidered eyes; place them on the upper half of the head, about one eye-width apart.
If using safety eyes, insert the posts before closing the head opening and secure the backs firmly on the inside.
If embroidering, work two small black satin stitches, then add a tiny white stitch highlight if desired.
Switch to orange yarn for the feet.
feet (make 2), orange yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8: dec around (6)
Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to black yarn for the wings.
wings (make 2), black yarn
Row 1: Ch 18, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (17)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing
Switch to green yarn for the snail shell.
snail shell, green yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8: dec around (6)
Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to beige yarn for the snail antennae.
snail antennae (make 2), beige yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 8: dec around (6)
Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)
snail shell base, beige yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 5: dec around (6)
Rnd 6: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to orange yarn for the foot.
foot (make 2), orange yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: dec around (6)
Rnd 4: fasten off, close hole (6)
Switch to beige yarn for the antenna.
antenna (make 2), beige yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: sc around (18)
Rnd 5: sc around (18)
Rnd 6: sc around (18)
Rnd 7: sc around (18)
Rnd 8: sc around (18)
Rnd 9: sc around (18)
Rnd 10: sc around (18)
Rnd 11: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 12: dec around (6)
Rnd 13: fasten off, close hole (6)
tentacles (make 2), beige yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: sc around (18)
Rnd 5: sc around (18)
Rnd 6: sc around (18)
Rnd 7: sc around (18)
Rnd 8: sc around (18)
Rnd 9: sc around (18)
Rnd 10: sc around (18)
Rnd 11: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 12: dec around (6)
Rnd 13: fasten off, close hole (6)
Final Stitch Counts
- penguin body: 26 stitches at widest point
- penguin belly: 22 stitches at widest point
- penguin head: 30 stitches at widest point
- eye patches (x 2): 12 stitches at widest point
- beak: 7 stitches at widest point
- cheeks (x 2): See pattern
- eyes (x 2): See pattern
- feet (x 2): 24 stitches at widest point
- wings (x 2): 17 stitches at widest point
- snail shell: 24 stitches at widest point
- snail antennae (x 2): 24 stitches at widest point
- snail shell base: 18 stitches at widest point
- foot (x 2): 12 stitches at widest point
- antenna (x 2): 18 stitches at widest point
- tentacles (x 2): 18 stitches at widest point
Putting the Pieces Together
1. Stuff penguin body, penguin belly, penguin head, foot, antenna, tentacles firmly with polyfill for stability. Shape as you go, pressing and molding to match the reference photo. Add extra stuffing to the base for a sturdy foundation.
2. Attach eye patches to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.
3. Sew cheeks to the head. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.
4. Attach eyes to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.
5. Sew wings to the body. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.
6. Sew beak in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
7. Sew feet in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
8. Sew snail shell in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
9. Sew snail antennae in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
10. Sew snail shell base in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.
11. Check all seams are secure. Gently tug each attached piece to test. Trim any loose yarn ends with sharp scissors. Weave in all remaining tails with a needle, passing through at least 3 stitches in each direction to prevent unraveling. Give the finished piece a gentle squeeze to distribute stuffing evenly and shape the final form.
Helpful Tips and Cleaning Advice
These tips will help you crochet a clean, well-finished amigurumi:
- Smaller hook = neater result: If stuffing peeks through, drop one hook size. Tight stitches look professional.
- Stuff as you go: Shape and stuff firmly when 12-18 stitches remain, before the opening gets too small.
- decreases: Work through the front loops only for decreases that disappear into the fabric.
- Stitch markers: Mark the first stitch of every round and you will never lose count again.
- Block flat pieces: Lightly steam any flat components before assembly, they will line up much better.
Caring for your penguin with snail shell:
- Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, no machine washing.
- Air dry flat, away from direct sunlight. Sun fades colors faster than you think.
- If safety eyes are used, ensure they are locked tight, not suitable for children under 3.
- Spot clean small stains with a damp cloth instead of washing the whole piece.
Quick Answers for Makers
My stitches are too loose and stuffing shows, help?
Drop down one hook size. Tight, even stitches are the single most important thing for clean amigurumi.
Safety eyes or embroidered eyes?
Both work. Safety eyes look more polished but aren't safe for babies. Embroidered eyes are softer and baby-safe.
Can I sell finished items from this pattern?
Absolutely. Sell at craft fairs, online, wherever you like, just don't distribute the pattern itself.
What yarn works best?
Cotton gives the crispest stitches and most defined shape. Acrylic is softer and more affordable, both work great.
How long does this take?
Most crocheters finish in 2-4 hours. Your first one will be slower, and that's completely normal.
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